No. 3 Miami gets another crack at Florida State on Saturday night, and this one comes with the Hurricanes humming, the Seminoles searching for answers, and Hard Rock Stadium set for a 7 p.m. kickoff on ESPN.
Miami enters at 5-0 overall and 3-0 in the ACC, fresh off a bye week and owning a start that has been as dominant as it looks on paper. The Hurricanes have won their first five games by an average of 39.8 points, and they’re favored by 21.5 points here. Weather at kickoff is projected to be 80 degrees with a 29% chance of rain.
This is also a chance for Miami to go after its third straight rivalry win. The Hurricanes lead the all-time series 37-33.
Florida State comes in at 3-3 and 1-2 in the ACC after another rough outing. The Seminoles jumped out to a 14-0 lead on Louisville last week, then got blasted 44-6 the rest of the way in a 44-20 loss.
That kind of swing has defined too much of their season. They’ve shown enough pop to matter, but not enough steadiness to hold onto it.
That’s why the Seminoles are still worth a close look in this game. Their offense has produced 31 points per game and is rushing for 187.17 yards per game, with Ousmane Kromah and Ashton Daniels giving them a ground game that can create real problems when it’s working. Florida State also flashed its ceiling early against Alabama, building a 21-6 lead on the road, and had designs on a bigger advantage against Louisville before that one got away too.
Miami, though, has its own momentum - and is getting healthier at the right time. Cornerback Xavier Lucas is back after missing time with the injury he suffered in the season opener against Stanford, which should help the Hurricanes’ secondary. Defensive end Marquise Lightfoot is also set to play after leaving the Clemson game hurt, another good sign for a defensive front that has leaned on him this season.
There’s also a small but interesting wrinkle in a rivalry full of turnover: Miami kicker Jake Weinberg is the only player on either roster who has played for both schools. The American Heritage-Delray product spent two seasons at Florida State before transferring to UM, and he’s made 5 of 6 field goals this season.
Florida State’s staff also has a couple of familiar faces with Miami ties. Offensive coordinator Tim Harris Jr. was Miami’s running backs coach in 2023, and safeties coach Evan Cooper briefly served as Miami’s director of player personnel in 2015.
Mario Cristobal is 40-19 at Miami and 102-79 overall, while Florida State’s Mike Norvell is 41-37 at FSU and 79-52 overall.
In Other News...
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Clemsons secondary has been one of the steadier parts of a season that has not gone smoothly overall, and Corey Myrick has emerged as a notable presence after leading the team in tackles through five games. Coming out of the bye week, the Tigers are trying to reset their defense with Charleston Southern next on the schedule, while also sharpening the basics that have been a recurring issue, especially tackling and overall consistency.
The immediate challenge comes with a personnel change in the nickel spot, where Corian Gipson is out for the season after meniscus surgery. Auburn transfer Donovan Starr is expected to step in, which gives Clemson a new look in the middle of its defensive backfield at a time when the unit is still trying to stabilize itself. For a secondary that has carried more weight than expected, the next stretch will say a lot about how quickly it can absorb the loss and keep the defense from slipping further. [Read more 🡒]
Clemson's Playoff Future Comes With A Dabo Era Catch
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For a program that built its modern identity around playoff runs, that kind of expansion comes with a catch. More access could mean more postseason appearances for Clemson, but it also risks making those trips feel less rare and less meaningful, especially if the field grows to the point where the standard is no longer what it used to be. The Tigers might benefit from the new format, but the bigger question is what that benefit says about where the program and the sport are headed. [Read more 🡒]
Dabo Sees One Missing Piece In Tait Reynolds' Game
Tait Reynolds has shown enough as a passer to keep Clemson interested in what comes next, but the true freshman quarterbacks rushing numbers have not yet matched the skill set that made him such an intriguing option. Through this season, Reynolds has only 61 yards on 55 carries, a figure that underscores how little damage he has done with his legs despite the talent there.
Dabo Swinney has made it clear he wants to see more of that part of Reynolds game, believing Clemson could benefit if the quarterback becomes a more effective threat on the ground. For an offense looking to broaden its options, getting Reynolds more involved as a runner could add another layer of versatility, though the bigger question is how quickly that piece starts showing up on the field. [Read more 🡒]